When a CEO steps into the role, the focus is often on the first 100 days. But preparation should begin much earlier. The weeks—and sometimes months—between accepting the offer and officially starting provides a valuable opportunity to build (or evolve) relationships, reflect on the leader you want to be, and put the right support around you.

So, how can first-time CEOs use the period before day one to lay the groundwork for a strong start?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, Emma Combe is joined by leadership advisors Ty Wiggins, Shannon Knott, and Marie-Osmonde Le Roy de Lanauze-Molines to explore how first-time CEOs can make the most of the transition period between accepting the role and officially starting.

They discuss:

Why the transition period looks different for internal and external CEO appointments
What new CEOs should prioritize before day one.
How first-time CEOs can prepare themselves personally for the demands of the role
Why thinking about impact, legacy, and support systems shouldn’t wait until after you start

“Every CEO transition introduces change, and every change is experienced through people.”

— Shannon Knott

Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:

Why external CEOs should be wary of early assumptions: Board papers, interviews, and conversations can tell you a lot about an organization, but they cannot give you a complete picture of its culture, ways of working, or leadership team. External CEOs need to remain open-minded and be prepared to test their early impressions once they are in the role.
Which relationships matter early on: Use the transition period to establish a strong working relationship with the chair, listen to individual board members, and understand the perspectives of other influential leaders.
How your leadership may need to evolve: The appointment process can offer valuable insight into your strengths, blind spots, and development areas. Use that feedback to consider how your leadership needs to evolve as you step into the CEO role.
What will help you sustain performance: The CEO role can be more isolating and demanding than first-time CEOs expect. Establishing a trusted group of advisors and routines that help you reflect and recharge can help you sustain your performance once the job begins.

In this episode, we discuss:

[01.55] Why internally promoted CEOs have a “golden hour” before their appointment is announced—and how to make the most of it

[03.38] Why external CEOs can do all the right research and still struggle to understand how an organization really operates before joining

[06.13] What newly appointed CEOs should learn from the chair and individual board members before they formally start

[10.02] How to use feedback from the CEO appointment process to identify the strengths and blind spots that could shape your tenure

[11.16] Why thinking about your legacy before day one can help clarify the impact you want to have as CEO

[14.32] Why first-time CEOs should build a “trusted cabinet” and establish routines that help them sustain their performance before they need them

Leadership Lounge: From Offer Letter to Day One: How First-Time CEOs Lay the Groundwork for Success

Redefiners

Leadership Lounge: From Offer Letter to Day One: How First-Time CEOs Lay the Groundwork for Success